Curriculum Night Let the Games Begin… Kindergarten

Welcome to Curriculum Night Kindergarten Teachers Keshia Hammond – Kathy Congram – Shelly Doherty –

Schedule KinderCongramDohertyHammond 7:45-7:55 Calendar 7:55-9:20 Shared Reading Guided Reading Science Writing Guided Math Social Studies 9:20-10:25 Science Writing Guided Math Social Studies Shared Reading Guided Reading 10:30-11:00 Lunch 11:00-11:20 Recess 11:25-11:50 Science Writing Guided Math Social Studies Shared Reading Guided Reading 11:55-12:25 Guided Math Social Studies Shared Reading Guided Reading Science Writing 12:30-1:20 Specials/Conference 1:25-2:40 Guided Math Social Studies Shared Reading Guided Reading Science Writing

 Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills  Integrates Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies  Report card is based on mastery of 9 week Skills Checklist  Mid nine weeks progress report assessed after 4 ½ weeks of each nine weeks Kindergarten Curriculum

Guided Reading As part of our Balanced Literacy curriculum, teachers will differentiate reading instruction through Guided Reading. Teachers will use assessment data to plan and adjust small group Guided Reading lessons. Groups will be flexible and will focus on specific strategies and skills needed by students. Students will rotate between literacy-based activities, independent reading, and meeting with the teacher as part of our Reader’s Workshop approach.

Guided Math Implementation of guided math consists of:  Whole group instruction: 1-2 days a week, primarily to introduce a new concept or topic  Small group instruction: 3-4 days a week so that teachers can effectively monitor student understanding and tailor instruction to meet needs of all students  Math workstations: 3-4 days a week during the guided math cycle  Fact Fluency: 3-4 days a week during the guided math cycle

Kindergarten Word Study Kindergarten will use Zoo Phonics and an integrated word study program for phonics, vocabulary and spelling instruction called Words Their Way. These approaches will provide students with opportunities to learn letters and letter patterns using movement and hands-on activities. Students will be placed in word study groups based on their needs, and they will receive differentiated word sorts that correspond with their level. Students will practice critical features of words through sorts, poems, games and other literacy activities.

Kindergarten DRA2 Reading Assessment Teachers will administer the DRA2 reading assessment for the 2nd and 4 th nine weeks. Teachers will use running record assessments to determine reading levels for the 3 rd nine weeks. Reading levels will be reported on the report card for the 2 nd,3 rd and 4 th nine week grading periods. Minimum Reading Levels for Kindergarten

Kindergarten Grading Scale S - Satisfactory - indicated achievement is within the range of expectations for the child's age and grade placement N - Needs Improvement - indicates that the child is having difficulty in the skill areas marked U - Unsatisfactory - indicates the child is having serious difficulty in the skills areas marked

Skyward Family Access Allows parents to track student grades and progress Go to and click on the Family Access button at the top of the page. Sign in with your username and password. Update all addresses associated with your account.

Parent Conference Dates Teachers will meet with parents to review student progress for the first nine weeks. Conferences will be held on November 5 th and 6 th. The first nine weeks report card will be distributed at the conference.

Homework Weekly Due on Friday Includes Poetry Journal, Reading/ELA, and Math, Science, or Social Studies Homework sheet includes new and review sight words (word wall words) Please sign/initial daily

Poetry Journals Shared reading component of Balanced Literacy model (includes guided practice and independent practice) Follow daily instructions: Reading skills and strategies Rhyming skills Sight words Return each day

Snack Afternoon snack is after 1:20 and during instructional time. Please follow the approved snack list and provide small portions. Snacks should be sent in zip-lock bags, including a napkin, and labeled with child’s name. Please either open prepackaged bags at home or send snacks in zip-lock bags to allow students to be “independent snackers.”

Important Information  Daily Folder  Look for homework on Monday  Tuesday Folder  Please return ALL important papers in the Daily Folder, as this is checked daily. Papers returned in the Blue Tuesday folder may not be seen until the following week.  Weekly newsletter is available on the Frost web page - Newsletters, Select Grade Level, Select Date

Star of the Week A class mascot will visit your student during the school year. Students will keep a journal of the mascot’s visit with his or his or her family. Students should bring a poster and favorite items from home. Class mascots are sent home on Friday and should be returned by Thursday.

Lunch Drop-off Once the school day begins, parents will want to follow these guidelines to drop off lunches: o Check in at the front office and receive a visitor’s name badge. o Proceed to the cafeteria with the lunch. o Place the lunch in the appropriately labeled bin near the cafeteria kitchen. o Students and/or teachers will check the bin at the beginning of the lunch period for their class.

Safety Awareness A campus crisis team is in place at all campuses in the district. The Frost team consists of administrators, office staff and specialists. Campus Emergency Procedures Training was completed with the staff on 9/2/15 District staff training is underway ◦ Staff will complete district training requirements by 9/24/15  Blood Borne Pathogens  Child Abuse  Emergency Go Kit Training  Suicide Prevention ◦ Fire Drills will take place monthly ◦ Additional drills are conducted each semester (Lockdown, Duck and Cover, Evacuation, Shelter-in- Place)

Birthday Guidelines In accordance with district policy, we discourage food being brought in by parents/grandparents for the following reasons: protect instructional time; student food allergies (peanut, gluten, eggs); student medical conditions (diabetes); liability assumed by person bringing in food Foods brought in must be store purchased Flowers, balloons, pencils, invitations and any other treats in honor or recognition of a child’s birthday cannot be delivered or distributed at school.

Tardy Policy Students are counted as tardy if they are not in the classroom by 7:45 a.m. Students with excessive tardiness will be referred to the attendance committee for consideration of ISS and a home visit by the social worker. Three or more tardies in a 9 week period will disqualify students from attendance awards.

Dress Code Red, white, light blue or navy blue collared shirts are allowed. Tops may not have any visible logos. Viewable undershirts should be one of the uniform shirt colors. Sweaters and jackets must be solid red, navy, black, khaki or white. Khaki, navy, black, blue denim slacks, shorts, skirts, skorts and jumpers are permitted. School shirts and sweatshirts are allowed. Leggings and tights should be red, black, blue, white or khaki. No backless shoes, flip flops, overalls, hats, caps, scarves, skate shoes, sweat pants, or rolling backpacks are allowed.

Nine Week Behavior Expectations Infraction chart by grade level: Conduct grades will include infractions received for no homework. Office referrals will be counted as 9 infractions. Therefore, a student will receive no better than an “N” in conduct in nine weeks where behavior has resulted in an office referral. Students who choose to participate in clubs must maintain an S in conduct. N’s in conduct will result in a 4 week probationary period. U’s and F’s will mean dismissal from clubs. Grade LevelExpectations KindergartenS = 0-8 color changes/infractions N = 9+ color changes/infractions All other grades 1 st -5 th S = 0-8 color changes/infractions N = 9-12 color changes/infractions U = 13+ color changes/infractions

Transportation Changes If your child requires a transportation change, please send a note to the classroom teacher. Do not the teacher regarding these changes. You may also call the front office but no changes will be made after 2:00 p.m.

Newsletters Beginning on Sept. 1 st, all grade levels will post a copy of the newsletter on the Frost Elementary website and will do so each Tuesday evening during the year. In addition, an blast will be sent out to grade level parents with the newsletter attached. Newsletters will include special events, birthdays, learning objectives, assessment dates and any other information deemed necessary by the grade level team. Access to the newsletters is at:

End of Year Awards Perfect Attendance – (present every day and fewer than 3 tardies) Sight Word Medal

Parent Volunteers Grade level coordinator will communicate teacher needs such as: ◦ Classroom projects ◦ Science lab ◦ Painting t-shirts ◦ Field Trip Chaperones ◦ Brown Bag Moms (pick up projects that can be done at home)